Target for rifle-firing practice.



G. W. DIMIOK. TARGET FOR RIFLE FIRING PRACTICE. APPLICATION FILEDMAE.14, 1910.

Patented June 13,-1911'.

I: ceases.

CHARLES W. DIMICK, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

TARGET FOB RIFLE-FIRING PRACTICE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J 1111( 13, 1911.

Application filed March 14, 1910.- Serial No. 549,378.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, CHARLEs V. DIMICK,

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cambridge, in thecounty of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Targets for Rifle-Fir1ng Practice, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in targets for use in riflepractice, and it more particularly applies to indoor target competition.

The objects of my improvement are, first,

i to provide a target combination automatihuman or animal anatomy;fourth, to insure part the efliciency of the individual practice and inother essentials hereinafter disclosed. I attain these objects by theapparatus illustrated in the annexed drawing forming a of thisspecification, wherein:

Figure 1, is a front elevation of a twoteam system of targets in anupright position organized to receive the rifle fire of a squad composedof six competing members. Fig. 2, denotes a rear View in perspective ofone combination target to exhibit its construction, and releasingmechanism.

Corresponding letters of reference inclicate similar features throughoutthe drawing, referring to which A, designates the targets composed ofany suitable material, preferably of metal, and each of which representsthe silhouette of a soldier in a prone position and facing themarks-man, the bulls eyes covering the vulnerable parts of theiranatomy, and through which the target releasing mechanism is actuated bythe impinging of the bullet against either one of the bullet-stops C, D,and E (Fig. 52) forming a component part of said mechanism and whichexceed somewhat the circumference of the perforate bulls-eyes B behindwhich they are severally alined. F denotes the pivotal attached metalrock frame sustaining said bulletstops C, D, and E, which may be ofgreater thickness to withstand the impact of the missile. Said frames Fhave integral extensions G, and are reflexed .to form pivotalconnections H, upheld by the brackets I at tached to the'rear side ofthe targets A, virtually forming rock-levers, the terminals of saidconnections pivotally suspend the stems or latches J vertically slidingin the brackets I, when the frames F are thrust apart from the targetmembers A by the impinging force scribed. Said latches sustain theassembled targets when set in an upright, or slightly inclined positionas may be desired for rifle practice, by means of the restrainingcollars K provided with one or more ratchet teeth L which co-act withthe latches or stems J for this purpose, said collars being keyed to thestructure supporting said targets by the bolts M. These targets areswingingly and individually sustained by the ring bolts N N attachingthem to the rod 0, or other stable means of suspension and proper sighteleof the bullet as previously de-' vation of said targets above theground,

while the fixed collars P P separate and confine the aggrouped targetsfrom any horizontal displacement on their support.

The release and drop of a target from an upright position is eflected bythe passage of the missile through one of the bulls-eyes B whenpositioned as in Fig. 1, the momentum of the ball against either of thestops C, D, or E rocking the frame member F away from its associatetarget in a manner to withdraw the stem J from its seat L, thuspermitting said target to fall by gravity to the reverse position shownin dotted lines.

I'will now refer to the utilization of my improved invention incompetitive marks; manship, assuming two opposing teams Q, and R, eachteam composed of three members, sach target A, in team Q, representing aprone member of the competing team R, and each member of team Rpersonating a target in the team Q. The ultimate endeavor therefore ofone team, is to decimate the ranks of the other, and to this end, amember, for example, of team R, at first practice selectin an upperbulls-eye, will drop his target z man), the opposing competitorpersonating said target will then cease firing, while the successfulmarksman may continue shooting at any upright target fronting his ownteam R, with the proviso, that his aim be directed to his lowest andnearest bulls-eye counting from the right. Thus, the accuracy ofindividual scoring may be computed. In like manner the practice conaprovide the sustaining rods tinues so long as any target remains inupright position. To facilitate the scoring, the targets of one team maybe rearwardly numbered consecutively, and these numbers duplicated onthe individuals of the opposing team, thus, if target No. 3, of team Rbe dropped, exposing its number, then the opponent bearing thecorresponding numeral in team Q is counted out, and competitioncontinued to the finish.

I will observe, that in the organization of my improved apparatus, thetarget supporting medium may be of telescoping construc tion to thepurpose that any elevation or depression of the targets for differentrange distances may be effected, and to this end I S S which penetratethe ground sufficiently to insure stability of the equipment againstwind pressure, and over which the terminals 0 O of the supporting rodare telescoped, the sight elevation being determined, the position isthen secured by the fastening screw bolts T T. The illumination of theapparatus for night practice, is exemplified in Fig. 2, and while theremay be other methods of accomplishing the results herein denoted, as forin stance actuating the releasing mechanism by the severance ofelectrical connections or through pneiunatic appliances, I prefersubstantially the method herein illustrated, and while I do not limitmyself to the precise details of construction specified, I may variouslymodify the same while adhering to the spirit of my invention, which,having thus ascertained, I claim:

1. A target for rifle firing practice comprising a plurality of targetshaving perforate bulls-eyes, a series of rock frames provided withbullet stops alined with and exceeding the circumference of saidbullseyes a target support having telescopic terminals adapted to erectthe aggrouped targets at desired altitudes, restraining collars fixed onsaid supports and stems pivotally attached to said rock frames and aseries of ratchet teeth co-acting with said stems when engaged tosustain. the targets in the line of rifie firing. V

2. A target for competition in rifle range practice composed of a rockframe having integral triplejbullet stops, a target provided with a likenumber of perforate bull eyes of lesser diameter than said bullet stops,

a vertically adjustable support and means for the semi-rotativeattachment of said target thereto, a right angle extension integral withsaid rock frame, a sliding stem thereto pivotally connected and meansco-acting with said stem and adjustably secured to said support topermit when disengaged the fall of the target below the line of riflefiring.

3. A target for rifle range practice provided with a series of perforatebulls eyes, the combination therewith of a frame having a series ofbullet stops horizontally alined with said bullseyes and provided withan extension, a sliding stem pivotally terminating said extension, arestraining collar coacting with the stem and means to support theassembled devices in the line of rifle fire 4. A target for competitivemarksmanship embodying a rock frame having integral bulletstops and anextension, a sliding'member sustained by said extension, a toothedcollar co-acting with s' member, 'a target aid provided with perforatebulls-eyes and h i a forked attachment pivotally sus-' pending said rocklever frame, an adjustable support for said assembled devices and meanson said support to prevent horizontal displacement of said targets.

In testimony signature, in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES W. DIMICK. Witnesses LILLA J. CHILDs, JOHN J. DOOLEY.

Copies of this patent ma; be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

whereof I have aflixed my

